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Cited by 239Probiotics and Fermented FoodsExercise and Physiological ResponsesPediatric health and respiratory diseases

Daily Probiotic’s (Lactobacillus casei Shirota) Reduction of Infection Incidence in Athletes

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Gleeson, Michael, Bishop, Nicolette C., Oliveira, Marta, Tauler, Pedro·2011·International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
DOI 10.1123/ijsnem.21.1.55
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a probiotic supplement during 4 mo of winter training in men and women engaged in endurance-based physical activities on incidence of upper respiratory-tract infections (URTIs) and immune markers. Eighty-four highly active individuals were randomized to probiotic ( n = 42) or placebo ( n = 42) groups and, under double-blind procedures, received probiotic (PRO: Lactobacillus casei Shirota [LcS]) or placebo (PLA) daily for 16 wk. Resting blood and saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 8 and 16 wk. Weekly training and illness logs were kept. Fifty-eight subjects completed the study ( n = 32 PRO, n = 26 PLA). The proportion of subjects on PLA who experienced 1 or more weeks with URTI symptoms was 36% higher than those on PRO (PLA 0.90, PRO 0.66; p = .021). The number of URTI episodes was significantly higher ( p < .01) in the PLA group (2.1 ± 1.2) than in the PRO group (1.2 ± 1.0). Severity and duration of symptoms were not significantly different between treatments. Saliva IgA concentration was higher on PRO than PLA, significant treatment effect F (1, 54) = 5.1, p = .03; this difference was not evident at baseline but was significant after 8 and 16 wk of supplementation. Regular ingestion of LcS appears to be beneficial in reducing the frequency of URTI in an athletic cohort, which may be related to better maintenance of saliva IgA levels during a winter period of training and competition.

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  • In endurance-based recreational athletes, Lactobacillus casei Shirota during 4 months of winter training significantly reduced URTIs compared to placebo, and salivary IgA concentration was significantly higher in those consuming the probiotic.

    “Similarly, Gleeson et al. [60] examined the effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota during 4 months of winter training in endurance-based recreational athletes and observed a significant reduction in URTIs compared to placebo. In addition, salivary IgA concentration was significantly higher in those consuming the probiotic.”

    From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics (2019) · cites this paper as [60]

  • Probiotic bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, are known to modify GI microbiota and reduce GI episode severity and respiratory tract infections associated with training.

    “Probiotic bacteria, particularly the gram-positive genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, are known to modify GI microbiota [17,18,19], and have been shown to reduce GI episode severity [20] and respiratory tract infections commonly associated with training [21].”

    From An Exploratory Investigation of Endotoxin Levels in Novice Long Distance Triathletes, and the Effects of a Multi-Strain Probiotic/Prebiotic, Antioxidant Intervention (2016) · cites this paper as [21]

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Guillemard, E., Tondu, F., Lacoin, F., & Schrezenmeir, J. (2009). Consumption of a fermented dairy product containing the probiotic Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 reduces the duration of respiratory infections in the elderly in a ran- domised controlled trial. The British Journal of Nutrition, 14, 1-11 (Epub ahead of print).
  2. Peters, E.M., & Bateman, E.D. (1983). Ultramarathon running and URTI: An epidemiological survey. South African Medical Journal, 64(15), 582-584.
  3. West, N.P., Pyne, D.B., Hopkins, W.G., Fricker, P.A., Jairath, A., Eskesen, D.C., & Cripps, A.W. (2009). Probiotic supplementation, illness and immunity in athletes. In Proceedings of the 9th International Society of Exercise and Immunology Symposium (p. 63). Tubingen, Germany: International Society for Exercise and Immunology.

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Authors
Gleeson, M., Bishop, N. C., Oliveira, M., & Tauler, P.
Affiliations
Loughborough University (GB)
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Published
2011-02
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
55-64
ISSN
  • 1526-484X (ISSN-L)
  • 1543-2742
DOI
10.1123/ijsnem.21.1.55
OpenAlex
W2114489487
Cited by
239
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 14
FWCI
21.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Loughborough University Institutional Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Loughborough University Research Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Yakult Honsha
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Emergency Medical Services › Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
Keywords
probiotics, Lactobacillus casei Shirota, upper respiratory tract infection, athletes, endurance training, winter training, saliva IgA, immunological markers, infection incidence, immune function
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Immunoglobulins, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Male, Middle Aged, Respiratory Tract Infections, Saliva, Lymphocyte Subsets, Cytokines, Immunity, Mucosal, Probiotics, Gastrointestinal Tract, Young Adult, Athletes

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